TRAIL, B.C. – The Trail Smoke Eaters Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce forward Michael Colella (’99) has committed to the team for the 2019/20 season.

Colella, 20, spent parts of the 2018/19 season with three different teams in the United States Hockey League after joining from the P.A.L Junior Islanders, where he amassed 10 goals and 21 points in just 10 games. The 5’7”, 161-pound winger started with the Omaha Lancers before being moved after 10 games played to the Tri-City Storm, eventually landing with the Lincoln Stars to complete his season. Colella tallied 9 goals and 14 assists for 23 points in 54 total games between the three squads.

Before his time in Junior ‘A’ hockey, the Turnersville, New Jersey product played in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL) as well as the United States High School League based out of New Jersey, suiting up for the Bishop Eustace Prep squad. In his final season in the AYHL with the Virtua Hockey U-18 team, Colella finished tied for 15th in league scoring with 9 goals and 22 points which was also tied for the lead in scoring amongst his team. Colella is set to attend Colorado College in the fall of 2020.

“Mike Colella is going to be a great addition for our hockey team,” commented Smoke Eaters General Manager and Head Coach Jeff Tambellini, “He is a dynamic scoring winger who is coming off a high production season in the USHL. Mike has a relentless style of play and his enthusiasm for the game can be seen every time you watch him play.”

“We really like that we can add another 20-year-old to our lineup at this point in the off-season to complement our current roster,” Tambellini continued, “We’re looking forward to developing Mike’s game and preparing him to transition to Colorado College in 2020-21.”

The Smoke Eaters would like to welcome Michael and his family to the City of Trail and the Smoke Eaters organization.

Colella and the rest of the Smoke Eaters will be in Trail for the team’s Main Camp at the end of August while season tickets for the 2019/20 campaign are available for purchase at the Smoke Eaters office, which is open 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday-Friday as well as online at www.shop.trailsmokeeaters.com.